The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday said there have been two additional cases of dengue fever in southern Taiwan and urged residents to keep their homes clean during the peak season for the disease.
The recent series of torrential rain storms has caused water to pool in containers and ditches around households, which could contribute to the proliferation of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus and lead to outbreaks of dengue fever if residents are not careful.
MOSQUITOES
Mosquitoes also multiply during the hot, humid summer months and can contribute to a surge in cases of dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis.
CDC Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-haw (周志浩) yesterday said the first cases of indigenous dengue fever in Tainan County had recently been reported. A 41-year-old female and her 45-year-old male coworker have been diagnosed with dengue fever. The woman was finally diagnosed with type 1 dengue hemorrhagic fever. Her coworker was also diagnosed with type 1 dengue hemorrhagic fever.
The CDC said that as of March, 14 indigenous cases of dengue fever have been reported, with most of the cases concentrated in Kaohsiung City.
SYMPTOMS
People who come down with fever or experience drowsiness after being bitten by mosquitoes should seek medical treatment immediately, because these could be signs of serious illness, Chou said.
To prevent transmission of the disease, mosquito breeding grounds can be eradicated by removing standing water in containers and drains, he said.
Dengue fever is transmitted via the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease’s incubation period is between two and 15 days, with symptoms including high fever, severe headaches, retro-orbital pain, severe joint pain, muscle ache, general weakness, nausea, vomiting and a rash.
RSS